Six quarters of mostly below-trend growth are taking their toll. The trend in rising unemployment and muted wage pressures suggests underlying inflation in the UK could ease further, keeping the door open for a possible rate cut later this year.
Growth looks more likely to stay below than to rise above 2.5 in the foreseeable future. A further decline in inflation, coupled with mediocre growth, will likely tilt the balance towards further rate cuts later this year.
Whenever an economy is struggling, one should not raise taxes, ... New taxes will probably cut growth by 0.3 percent of GDP.
Whenever an economy is struggling, one should not raise taxes. New taxes will probably cut growth by 0.3 percent of GDP.
The orders data confirm that demand is very robust and we expect a significant acceleration in output growth shortly.
Slow growth last year is still affecting the labor market.